Jackie Robinson Foundation to Honor Ingrid Saunders Jones, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, and Joseph R. Perella at Annual Awards Dinner

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Feb 02, 2011, 03:31 ET

Annual Awards Dinner Scheduled for March 7, 2011, at Waldorf=Astoria

Legendary Entertainer Bill Cosby to Host Star Studded Gala for Nation's Premiere Minority Scholarship and Mentoring Program

NEW YORK, Feb. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) announced the recipients of the 2011 ROBIE Awards, which will be presented at its Annual Awards Dinner on Monday, March 7, at 6:00 p.m. at New York's Waldorf=Astoria Hotel. Hosted by legendary entertainer Bill Cosby for nearly three decades, the iconic event pays tribute to individuals who embody the humanitarian ideals of Jackie Robinson and raises funds for the Jackie Robinson Foundation. The Foundation provides generous, four-year college scholarships, graduate school grants and extensive mentoring to academically distinguished minority students with financial need and records of leadership capacity.

The star-studded event promises to be an unforgettable evening as the Foundation honors three philanthropists. The ROBIE Humanitarian Award will be presented to Ingrid Saunders Jones. The ROBIE Achievement in Industry Award will be presented to Sean "Diddy" Combs and Joseph R. Perella.

Ingrid Saunders Jones, Senior Vice President, Global Community Connections, The Coca-Cola Company and Chair of the Coca-Cola Foundation will be honored for her extensive work with a wide variety of charities and community initiatives that have left an indelible imprint for positive social change both in the United States and abroad.

Sean "Diddy" Combs, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Bad Boy Entertainment Group, will be saluted for his innovation in music and fashion, as well as his charitable and philanthropic contributions throughout his storied career.

Joe Perella, Founding Partner, Chairman and CEO of Perella Weinberg Partners, will be honored for his unique contributions to the financial community. In addition, his steadfast commitments to higher education, cancer research, art and culture exemplify the values exhibited by Jackie and Rachel Robinson.

"This year's honorees, pioneers in their own right," observed Jackie Robinson Foundation President and Chief Executive Officer Della Britton Baeza, "represent the spirit and unwavering values of the Foundation and its commitment to prepare our young leaders."

The JRF Annual Awards Dinner has recognized some of the most decorated names in business, politics, education, media, sports and the arts, including Bishop Desmond Tutu, J. W. Marriott, Jr., Dr. Benjamin Carson, Sr., Clive Davis, Spike Lee, Ruth J. Simmons, Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Henry L. "Hank" Aaron, John Welch Jr., Ella Fitzgerald, George Lucas, Marian Wright Edelman, Arthur Ashe, Michael Jordan, Tom Brokaw, Dr. Sheila C. Johnson, Robert Redford, Robin Roberts and Katharine Graham.

Established in 1973, the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) is the nation's premier education and leadership development program. Transcending financial assistance, the Foundation equips its scholarship recipients with a comprehensive set of support services including mentoring, career guidance and practical life skills, resulting in a nearly 100% graduation rate, more than twice the national average for minority students. The over 1,400 JRF alumni are both leaders in their professional fields and consummate ambassadors of Jackie Robinson's legacy of community service.

This 2010-2011 academic year, JRF is providing generous financial aid and program support to 220 Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholars representing 31 states and the District of Columbia and enrolled in 92 different colleges and universities across the country.

For sponsorship opportunities, tickets or additional information regarding the JRF Annual Awards Dinner, please visit http://guest.cvent.com/d/cdq59k or contact the Foundation at (212) 290-8600. Individual tickets are available for $1,500 with tables and sponsorships ranging from $15,000 to $100,000. Advertising opportunities are available in the special commemorative JRF Annual Awards Dinner program for $5,000.

For more information about JRF, visit www.jackierobinson.org.